BUDAPEST, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Consumer prices in Hungary were 4.2 percent higher in April 2025 compared to the same month a year earlier, according to data released Friday by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH).
This marks a slowdown from the 4.7 percent annual inflation rate recorded in March, although the figure remains above analysts' expectations of 4.0 percent for April. On a month-on-month basis, prices edged up by 0.2 percent.
A breakdown of the data shows that food prices increased by 5.4 percent year-on-year. Prices for electricity, gas, and other fuels rose by 3.5 percent, while the cost of services climbed sharply by 7.0 percent.
The Ministry for National Economy expressed optimism that inflation would continue to decline in the coming months, attributing the trend to a series of recent government measures. "The profit margin reduction introduced on March 17, and its planned extension to 30 categories of household goods from May 19, along with the freeze on account fees, telecom charges, and home insurance premiums, will all contribute to a sustained drop in inflation," the ministry said in a statement.
Local business outlet Portfolio noted that April's deceleration in inflation was slower than expected. "The smaller-than-expected disinflation appears to stem from a more modest decline in food prices," it reported, adding that fuel prices also played a role in keeping inflation elevated. ■
